Premier League: ten key points to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment following a claimed ÂŁ65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a winger with six goals plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their last two fixtures after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English player in the Premier League this campaign having six and remains anxious to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
